The Gettysburg Address

Lincoln, A., & McCurdy, M. (1995). The Gettysburg address. Boston: Houghton Mifflin.

Reflection Here

The deliberate pace Lincoln's words acquire when spaced out in this power, somber book gloriously introduces the most famous speech in American history to a new generation and gives fresh meaning to those who have read and heard it before. Everything about the book is admirable. The type is beautiful, simple, and restrained. The black-and-white illustrations strike an interesting balance between the look of period engravings and the cropping and muscular vigor of a more contemporary point of of view. In a particularly striking spread, readers see the close-ups of crosses marking graves while in the background a crowd has gathered to hear the speech on a plain marked by a cannon-blasted tree. Another scene shows a group of wounded, bandaged men, one without a foot, one without a forearm, who serve as visual reminders of the human cost of battle. A short introduction by historian Gary Wills provides context without weighing the book down with information; the more personal note about McCurdy's great-grandfather Jack, who fought in the battle and lived to tell about it, adds a satisfying sense of connection between the generations.

There are numerous lessons this book could be used for and in a variety of grade levels.
1. Students could list events that led up to Lincoln's Gettysburg Address.
2. Students could present an argument as to why Lincoln gave The Gettysburg Address.
3. Students could summarize portions of the Gettysburg Address in their own words or present an overall summary of the document.
4. Students could discuss why they believe the Gettysburg Address is still relevant in today's society.

This book could be used across the curriculum not only in history/social studies classes but also in reading and language arts/writing classes.